Action of authorities

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Action of authorities. Delay may be caused by decisions of harbour and port authorities.

These decisions are outside the charterer's control and the charterer cannot be held to be responsible for the delay. The results of such action can vary from preventing a vessel's berthing through negligent cargo handling by dock authorities to the vessel's being ordered to leave a berth temporarily for reasons determined only by the authorities. In such circumstances, the charterer does not lose laytime. The delay may not justify the owner's claim for demurrage for delay caused by such action.